Chinese lanterns ‘caused factory fire’ in Birmingham

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Fire chiefs called for stricter regulation of Chinese lanterns after one was
filmed on CCTV starting a fire at a recycling plant.

Smoke rose 6,000ft from 100,000 tonnes of burning plastic as more than 200
firefighters were called to Jayplas, in Smethwick, Birmingham.

It was feared that nearby houses might be engulfed.

Linda Carruthers, 46, who was staying with her sister, said she heard loud
bangs and at 3am saw thick black smoke. She said: “I thought the world had
ended. I have never seen anything like it. I was scared.”

Vijith Ramdeniya, Chief Fire Officer at the West Midlands

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Firefighters tackle the blaze at a recycling plant near Birminghm

2013-07-02 00:01:04.933 West Midlands Fire Service/PA

Firefighters tackle the blaze at a recycling plant near Birminghm

2013-07-02 00:01:04.933 West Midlands Fire Service/PA

The fire has been declared a major incident

2013-07-02 00:01:04.933 West Midlands Fire Service/PA

Drivers and aircraft pilots have been warned to take care

2013-07-02 00:01:04.933 West Midlands Fire Service/PA

More than 200 firefighters are tackling the blaze at Smethwick, in the West Midlands

2013-07-02 00:01:04.933 West Midlands Fire Service/PA

Smoke rises from the fire in Smethwick

2013-07-02 00:01:04.933 AFP/Getty Images

The view from the Tividale area as smoke rises from the fire in Smethwick, West Midlands

2013-07-02 00:01:04.933 Matthew Cooper/PA

Smoke rises over the Birmingham skyline after the fire at Smethwick

2013-07-02 00:01:04.933 Joe Giddens/PA

Smoke rises from the fire at a recycling plant in Smethwick, near Birmingham

2013-07-02 00:01:04.933 AFP/Getty Images

More than 200 firefighters are tackling the blaze at Smethwick, in the West Midlands